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| Type of tour: | Guided |
| Level: | Moderate |
| Duration: | 8 Nights |
| Distance: | 50 Miles/day average |
| Dates: | Comfort: Jul 20; Aug 24, 2013 |
| Tour price: | €1600 |
| Start city: | Moscow, Russia |
| End city: | St. Petersburg, Russia |




The cycling route goes from Moscow, the modern Russian capital, to the old one, St. Petersburg, through the oldest one, Novgorod the Great. You will be charmed by the spirit of olden times in Tver, Staritsa, Ostashkov, Staraya Russa.
You will pass the pearl of Russian nature, Lake Seliger, cross woody hills of Valdai; where Great Russian Volga river starts. In Novgorod you will see its ancient Kremlin, magnificent St. Sofia Cathedral and wonderful Russian Millennium Memorial. You will be surprised with the luxurious beauty of grand palaces and parks, built for Russian Tsars in Pavlovsk, Pushkin and St. Petersburg. After the tour you can return to Moscow by comfortable night train or stay longer in the north capital of Russia.
On the route you can choose your own cycling pace. A car will wait for you at the appointed places along the route. Experienced guides will look after you in case of difficulties. If you are tired you can always take a car for some part of the route. Even non-riding spouses, children or friends are welcome on the tour and they can follow us with the car.
For 7 cycling days you ride about 320 miles (500 km). Most roads along the route do not have heavy traffic and are covered with asphalt except for 2 short gravel roads. In the Adventure tour there are about 30 miles (50 km) on dirt or gravel roads.
This bike tour is designed for foreign cyclists, and it will introduce you to the real Russia! Bicycling is an ideal way to explore this fascinating country. Our informal tour is very comfortably paced and you will enjoy biking in the quiet Russian countryside. You are not our customers – you are the guests of our club. In addition to cycling, we offer a special culture program. We visit a lot of museums and exhibitions (some of them are little known). You will meet friendly village dwellers and our dinners are cooked from home products grown by local Russians. The menu promises to give you the opportunity to taste authentic Russian food that is unlike anything you’ve tasted before! We also visit a Russian bath house ("banya") and see how Russians really live.
Learn more about guided tours.
The cycling route goes from Moscow, the modern Russian capital, to the old one, St. Petersburg, through the oldest one, Novgorod the Great. You will be charmed by the spirit of olden times in Tver, Staritsa, Ostashkov, Staraya Russa.
You will pass the pearl of Russian nature, Lake Seliger, cross woody hills of Valdai; where Great Russian Volga river starts. In Novgorod you will see its ancient Kremlin, magnificent St. Sofia Cathedral and wonderful Russian Millennium Memorial. You will be surprised with the luxurious beauty of grand palaces and parks, built for Russian Tsars in Pavlovsk, Pushkin and St. Petersburg. After the tour you can return to Moscow by comfortable night train or stay longer in the north capital of Russia.
On the route you can choose your own cycling pace. A car will wait for you at the appointed places along the route. Experienced guides will look after you in case of difficulties. If you are tired you can always take a car for some part of the route. Even non-riding spouses, children or friends are welcome on the tour and they can follow us with the car.
For 7 cycling days you ride about 320 miles (500 km). Most roads along the route do not have heavy traffic and are covered with asphalt except for 2 short gravel roads. In the Adventure tour there are about 30 miles (50 km) on dirt or gravel roads.
This bike tour is designed for foreign cyclists, and it will introduce you to the real Russia! Bicycling is an ideal way to explore this fascinating country. Our informal tour is very comfortably paced and you will enjoy biking in the quiet Russian countryside. You are not our customers – you are the guests of our club. In addition to cycling, we offer a special culture program. We visit a lot of museums and exhibitions (some of them are little known). You will meet friendly village dwellers and our dinners are cooked from home products grown by local Russians. The menu promises to give you the opportunity to taste authentic Russian food that is unlike anything you’ve tasted before! We also visit a Russian bath house ("banya") and see how Russians really live.
Learn more about guided tours.
Day 1: Arrival in Moscow
You are met at the airport by a guide and taken to the hotel. Dinner and evening city walk.
Overnight in Moscow.
Day 2: Mednoe - Volga (25 miles/40 km)
The day begins with a transfer to Mednoe, where you will see the Mednoe Memorial Complex.
Overnight in a resort club hotel near Volga
Day 3: Torzhok (40 miles/60 km)
Transfer to Bernovo. Visiting museum of Alexander Pushkin. You cycle on a quiet road to old Russian town Torzhok. City tour in Torzhok (local museum, gold embroidery shop).
Overnight in a hotel.
Day 4: Ostashkov (20 miles/30 km)
Transfer closer to Ostashkov, then cycle by quiet road to the capital of Seliger region - old Russian town Ostashkov. City tour in Ostashkov.
Overnight in a park hotel near the lake.
Day 5: Lake Seliger (30 miles/50 km)
You cycle to the pearl of Central Russia nature, Lake Seliger.
Overnight in a palace hotel near the lake.Banya (Russian steam bath).
Day 6: Staraya Russa (47 miles/75 km)
You start day with a bus transfer to Demiansk. From there you continue by bikes to Staraya Russa where you visiting the balneologic (spa) resort and the museum of the famous Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Overnight in a hotel.
Day 7: Novgorod (25 miles/40 km)
You cycle to Great Novgorod around Lake Ilmen. Highlights include the Museum of Wooden Architecture "Vitoslavitsy" and city tour in Novgorod.
Overnight in a hotel in the center of Novgorod.
Day 8: St. Petersburg
Transfer to St. Petersburg and a city tour.
Overnight in St. Petersburg.
Day 9: Departure (10 miles/20 km)
Comfort: Jul 20; Aug 24, 2013
Not Included
You should have:
In the Comfort Tour you stay in very good hotels. The hotels are perfect quality and located in quiet settings. Double/twin accommodation.
In the Adventure Tour you stay in less expensive hotels or cabins (wooden houses). Double/twin or dormitory accommodation.
In the Comfort Tour you stay in very good hotels. The hotels are perfect quality and located in quiet settings. Double/twin accommodation.
In the Adventure Tour you stay in less expensive hotels or cabins (wooden houses). Double/twin or dormitory accommodation.
The bikes available on this tour are hybrid hikes of Land Rover, Marin, Merida and Author brand. They are equipped with a water bottle cage and rack. Additional water bottles and bags are available upon request for no charge.
The bikes available on this tour are hybrid hikes of Land Rover, Marin, Merida and Author brand. They are equipped with a water bottle cage and rack. Additional water bottles and bags are available upon request for no charge.
For 8 days of cycling, you ride about 440 miles (700 km). Most roads along the route are paved with asphalt. The route is mostly flat, but there is some rolling terrain. Approximately 85% of the tour follows quiet roads, 10% on roads shared with traffic and 5% on dirt or gravel roads. (In the Adventure tour there are about 31 miles/50 km on dirt or gravel roads).
This tour is rated Moderate and is for cyclists in good physical condition.
For 8 days of cycling, you ride about 440 miles (700 km). Most roads along the route are paved with asphalt. The route is mostly flat, but there is some rolling terrain. Approximately 85% of the tour follows quiet roads, 10% on roads shared with traffic and 5% on dirt or gravel roads. (In the Adventure tour there are about 31 miles/50 km on dirt or gravel roads).
This tour is rated Moderate and is for cyclists in good physical condition.
"Thank you so much for all your fantastic organisation. Deb and I had a ball. It was the best and probably most challenging thing I’ve ever done. The group was great fun and our intrepid Russian leaders bent over backwards (isn’t always easy in a large group) to please everybody. We learned so much about beautiful Russia. I wasn’t prepared for the endless fields of wildflowers, acres green forests and huge open spaces...which were in stark contrast to the densely populated sophistication of the cities, Moscow and St Petersburg. The tour itself was at times hard going, the distances great and the roads challenging to say the least. Accommodation was basic. But at the end of a hard day there was always a great meal, loads to drink and of course fantastic company to share laughs with, of which we had many.
"Thank you so much... man what a ride! I loved every minute and after spending so much time with folk, really miss everyone. But I'm sure some of us will keep in contact. After all, that’s what travelling is all about."
- Vanessa
2009
"Thank you so much for all your fantastic organisation. Deb and I had a ball. It was the best and probably most challenging thing I’ve ever done. The group was great fun and our intrepid Russian leaders bent over backwards (isn’t always easy in a large group) to please everybody. We learned so much about beautiful Russia. I wasn’t prepared for the endless fields of wildflowers, acres green forests and huge open spaces...which were in stark contrast to the densely populated sophistication of the cities, Moscow and St Petersburg. The tour itself was at times hard going, the distances great and the roads challenging to say the least. Accommodation was basic. But at the end of a hard day there was always a great meal, loads to drink and of course fantastic company to share laughs with, of which we had many.
"Thank you so much... man what a ride! I loved every minute and after spending so much time with folk, really miss everyone. But I'm sure some of us will keep in contact. After all, that’s what travelling is all about."
- Vanessa
2009
Tour Start
Nearest airport: Moscow, Russia (Domodedovo or Sheremetievo)
Nearest train station: Moscow, Russia
Tour End
Nearest airport: St. Petersburg, Russia (Pulkovo)
Nearest train station: St. Petersburg, Russia
Tour Start
Nearest airport: Moscow, Russia (Domodedovo or Sheremetievo)
Nearest train station: Moscow, Russia
Tour End
Nearest airport: St. Petersburg, Russia (Pulkovo)
Nearest train station: St. Petersburg, Russia
The Iron Curtain shrouded Russia in mystery for many decades, and even now this beautiful land is often misunderstood. Yet today it's still one of the most-visited and popular tourist destinations in the world.
Russia's vast territory spans two continents and straddles the East and West unlike any other modern nation. Russia's unique culture blends influences of both its European and Asian neighbors to produce a fascinating array of sites, smells, and tastes. The folk traditions and arts are incredibly rich, and traditional music and dance can still often be found throughout the more rural areas of this mighty country.
Because of its enormous size, Russia spans multiple climates and ecological environments – offering an impressive diversity of landscapes. Some regions are lush with greenery while others are barren and practically unlivable. Russia is a country of stark contrasts and intriguing uniqueness that’s thrilling to explore.
The Iron Curtain shrouded Russia in mystery for many decades, and even now this beautiful land is often misunderstood. Yet today it's still one of the most-visited and popular tourist destinations in the world.
Russia's vast territory spans two continents and straddles the East and West unlike any other modern nation. Russia's unique culture blends influences of both its European and Asian neighbors to produce a fascinating array of sites, smells, and tastes. The folk traditions and arts are incredibly rich, and traditional music and dance can still often be found throughout the more rural areas of this mighty country.
Because of its enormous size, Russia spans multiple climates and ecological environments – offering an impressive diversity of landscapes. Some regions are lush with greenery while others are barren and practically unlivable. Russia is a country of stark contrasts and intriguing uniqueness that’s thrilling to explore.
Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.
Get weather information.
Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.
Get weather information.
Russian Cycle Touring Club is a not-for-profit social organization that joins bicyclists with different interests. Founded in 1996, they promote cycling tours in Russia and are the only organization that organizes bike tours in Russia for international customers. They are a member of the European Cyclists Federation (ECF) and NBTDA.
Russian Cycle Touring Club is a not-for-profit social organization that joins bicyclists with different interests. Founded in 1996, they promote cycling tours in Russia and are the only organization that organizes bike tours in Russia for international customers. They are a member of the European Cyclists Federation (ECF) and NBTDA.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Russian Cycle Touring Club (RCTC) organizes incredible adventure bicycle tours for foreign cyclists to the most interesting places of Russia. Our bicycle tours give you a unique chance to see the real Russia, not from a bus window but from your bicycle saddle, accompanied by Russian cyclists.
Cancellation
A deposit is not refundable except a case if the tour is full and we can find another participant. In this case we can make full refund (minus transactions cost) or transmit your deposit to the next year. The cost of the tour (minus deposit) can be refunded up to the date tour starts (minus transactions costs). Riders canceling may transfer their tour to another person for a fee of $50 dollars. In the exceptional case of RCTC canceling a tour due to low enrollment (insufficient number of participants), participants receive a full refund of all payments received to date. In this exceptional case we can suggest to change the conditions of the tour.
Reservation and Payment
Step 1. Booking. You send us your application via email.
Step 2. Confirmation. We send you the confirmation via email. Please do not make non-changeable travel plans until you receive your confirmation.
Step 3. Deposit. You pay a deposit by bank transfer to our account within time required. If you do not pay the deposit, RCTC reserve the right to cancel your reservation. The balance of your payment is due any time before your tour begins. If you book via our agents you follow their booking policy.
Limitation of Liability
RCTC and its staff do all they can to make tours safe and pleasure. However, you travel at your own risk. RCTC is not liable for any participants' illness, injury, or death, property loss or damage before, during and after the tours. RCTC is not liable for accidents caused by consumption of alcoholic beverages, civil unrest, terrorism, crime, breakdown of equipment, forces of nature, lack of or limited access to medical attention in remote locations, and the adequacy of medical attention once provided. RCTC is also not liable for expenses not specified as included in the tour, but which may be required. RCTC reserves the right to make route, itinerary and hotel changes as necessary for comfort and safety of participants or as a result of act of god. RCTC reserves the right to refuse any reservation and participation for a person whose condition or behavior may be a hazard to himself or others. RCTC cannot be responsible for inconvenience as a result of acting of third party (hotels, restaurants, banks, transport etc.) as well as the condition of the roads, participants' bikes, weather or insects.
Participant Responsibility and Safety Statement
Tour participants assume the responsibility to select a tour most appropriate to their physical abilities and interest. Participants are responsible for being in sufficient good health to undertake their trip. Participants are also responsible for studying all pre-departure information, for bringing all necessary equipment and clothing, for acting in a manner considerate of fellow tour participants and the country visited. The participants are presumed to have the knowledge and bicycling riding and handling skills necessary to participate in the tour they have chosen. Participants should follow any written or verbal instructions that are given by RCTC guides. Children under 18's must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Under 14's should be attached to an adult's bike. Participants must obey the Highway (Traffic) Code, cycle in a safe and responsible manner, and ensure that their bike is roadworthy. All participants should ride with a helmet and have adequate medical insurance.
Privacy Statement
We state that we only use the information we collect about you with your consent in order to process your application and to tell you about our events. It is our strict rule never to disclose personal information about you to any third party without first receiving your permission (except in the case of formal legal instruction). We may need to know your name, date of birth, email address, address, passport number and expiry date in order to process your booking. This information is used strictly for the purpose of organizing the bicycle tour, processing your visa support papers and will not be disclosed to any third party without your authority except cases which are required by tour organizing process. RCTC may make photographic or film records of its tours and may use such records for promotional purposes without compensation.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Russian Cycle Touring Club (RCTC) organizes incredible adventure bicycle tours for foreign cyclists to the most interesting places of Russia. Our bicycle tours give you a unique chance to see the real Russia, not from a bus window but from your bicycle saddle, accompanied by Russian cyclists.
Cancellation
A deposit is not refundable except a case if the tour is full and we can find another participant. In this case we can make full refund (minus transactions cost) or transmit your deposit to the next year. The cost of the tour (minus deposit) can be refunded up to the date tour starts (minus transactions costs). Riders canceling may transfer their tour to another person for a fee of $50 dollars. In the exceptional case of RCTC canceling a tour due to low enrollment (insufficient number of participants), participants receive a full refund of all payments received to date. In this exceptional case we can suggest to change the conditions of the tour.
Reservation and Payment
Step 1. Booking. You send us your application via email.
Step 2. Confirmation. We send you the confirmation via email. Please do not make non-changeable travel plans until you receive your confirmation.
Step 3. Deposit. You pay a deposit by bank transfer to our account within time required. If you do not pay the deposit, RCTC reserve the right to cancel your reservation. The balance of your payment is due any time before your tour begins. If you book via our agents you follow their booking policy.
Limitation of Liability
RCTC and its staff do all they can to make tours safe and pleasure. However, you travel at your own risk. RCTC is not liable for any participants' illness, injury, or death, property loss or damage before, during and after the tours. RCTC is not liable for accidents caused by consumption of alcoholic beverages, civil unrest, terrorism, crime, breakdown of equipment, forces of nature, lack of or limited access to medical attention in remote locations, and the adequacy of medical attention once provided. RCTC is also not liable for expenses not specified as included in the tour, but which may be required. RCTC reserves the right to make route, itinerary and hotel changes as necessary for comfort and safety of participants or as a result of act of god. RCTC reserves the right to refuse any reservation and participation for a person whose condition or behavior may be a hazard to himself or others. RCTC cannot be responsible for inconvenience as a result of acting of third party (hotels, restaurants, banks, transport etc.) as well as the condition of the roads, participants' bikes, weather or insects.
Participant Responsibility and Safety Statement
Tour participants assume the responsibility to select a tour most appropriate to their physical abilities and interest. Participants are responsible for being in sufficient good health to undertake their trip. Participants are also responsible for studying all pre-departure information, for bringing all necessary equipment and clothing, for acting in a manner considerate of fellow tour participants and the country visited. The participants are presumed to have the knowledge and bicycling riding and handling skills necessary to participate in the tour they have chosen. Participants should follow any written or verbal instructions that are given by RCTC guides. Children under 18's must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Under 14's should be attached to an adult's bike. Participants must obey the Highway (Traffic) Code, cycle in a safe and responsible manner, and ensure that their bike is roadworthy. All participants should ride with a helmet and have adequate medical insurance.
Privacy Statement
We state that we only use the information we collect about you with your consent in order to process your application and to tell you about our events. It is our strict rule never to disclose personal information about you to any third party without first receiving your permission (except in the case of formal legal instruction). We may need to know your name, date of birth, email address, address, passport number and expiry date in order to process your booking. This information is used strictly for the purpose of organizing the bicycle tour, processing your visa support papers and will not be disclosed to any third party without your authority except cases which are required by tour organizing process. RCTC may make photographic or film records of its tours and may use such records for promotional purposes without compensation.
